User Reviewshttp://www.gameinformer.com/games/dirt_showdown/b/user_reviews/default.aspxUser reviews for Dirt Showdownen-USTelligent Community 1.5.134.12297 (Build: 5.5.134.12297)Demolition At Its Finesthttp://www.gameinformer.com/games/dirt_showdown/b/user_reviews/archive/2012/07/12/a-daring-move.aspxThu, 12 Jul 2012 16:58:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:2054230Mike Mahardy0http://www.gameinformer.com/games/dirt_showdown/b/user_reviews/rsscomments.aspx?WeblogPostID=2054230http://www.gameinformer.com/games/dirt_showdown/b/user_reviews/archive/2012/07/12/a-daring-move.aspx#comments<p>This review was written for <a href="http://gamingnexus.com/Article/DiRT-Showdown/Item3538.aspx">Gaming Nexus</a>.</p>
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<p><img src="http://www.gameinformer.com/resized-image.ashx/__size/610x0/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-02-13-11/4062.ap_5F00_03_5F00_shot_5F00_05.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></p>
<p>DiRT Showdown is a bold undertaking. Developer Codemasters has never
exactly stuck to the norm when it comes to the racing genre, and their newest
title is no different. While most racing games encourage player progress with a
steady mix of new tracks and vehicles, Showdown uses the game modes themselves
to add variety to the mix. The premise is solid, and it is executed well, but
fatigue eventually sets in.<br />
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As soon as the main menu pops up on-screen,
you&#39;ll be prompted to sign up for Race Net, a social tracking service that
spans all future Codemasters titles. After every single event in Tour mode, the
option to challenge a friend will be offered. Bonuses such as in-game money and
vehicles are dangled on a stick in front of the player, who will be rewarded
merely for taking their racing online. Codemasters wants you to spread the word
about this game, and they make no attempts to hide that fact.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
For all of the annoying prodding, multiplayer
does give a glimpse of the best aspects of the game. A few modes are exclusive
to the online scene, including Smash and Grab. Essentially a new take on Halo&#39;s
Oddball, drivers must learn the course quickly if they want to accumulate
points. The added unpredictability of human-controlled cars racing alongside
you spices the sometimes-monotonous events up, seeing as how the single player
modes are surprisingly easy.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The new physics engine in Showdown allows the
player to acclimate quickly. In fact, I realized that I was over thinking the
drift and donut controls of the gymkhana events. All it takes is the tap of a
button, and the occasional flick of an analog stick, and it&#39;s all smooth
sailing from there. Although the simple controls do wonders to increase
accessibility for players new to the racing genre in general, a lot more depth
would have kept me on the edge of my seat at every turn. This much-needed shot
in the arm is all the more apparent after about five hours into the single
player game.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The first circuit of Tour mode is thrilling.
Just when I though I had mastered one event, another would throw those rules
out the window, forcing me to adapt. Demolition derby type events kept me tense
as I avoided oncoming crashes, and trick-based sequences allowed me to master
the somewhat easy controls of the gymkhana events. Traditional races require
precise turning later in the single player game, while the collisons in
demolition derby events increase in frequency as the AI becomes more accurate
and cunning. The dirty maneuvers that are encouraged during races also became more
pervasive, requiring the player to watch their back at all times. Although
their is no cockpit view this time around, the game does a great job of
immersing the driver with constant action everywhere you look. The stage is set
for an enticing game, but the flaws soon become apparent. The problem with
single player, multiplayer, the entire game really, is that it becomes boring
after about six hours.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The game modes can only go so far when it comes
to creating an engaging experience. It&#39;s the lack of content that really
disappoints. Halfway through the second difficulty tier of Tour mode, and I had
experienced just about every track. That would be fine if there were only two
tiers, but there aren&#39;t; there are four. The dwindling roster of venues became even
more apparent when it was clear that Codemasters simply implemented new time of
day and weather effects to create a new aesthetic for the same exact tracks.
Although the game is gorgeous as far as visuals go, the added snowfall doesn&#39;t
change the fact that I had completed the same exact race three times in a row.
There isn&#39;t a huge amount of vehicles to choose from either. Aside from a few
late-game anomalies, you&#39;ll probably end up sticking to the same few cars for
each event type.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Again, the game looks great, much like
Codemasters&#39; previous installments in the series. Flecks of dirt spray out from
tires appropriately, and the lighting is dynamic enough to create a real sense
of placement on the tracks and arenas. The minimal supply of venues all have
their own unique appeal to them. Michigan&#39;s mud-covered track and varied
elevations provide a breath of fresh air from the single-planed venues that
fill out the rest of the game. The trademark slow-motion crash cams are always
entertaining, although I found myself skipping out on this mechanic just to
finish the banal events. Aside form a commentator who butchers the rock-heavy
soundtrack and the English language in general, the presentation of Showdown
left little to be desired.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Showdown is a much shallower game than DiRT 3.
There are added event types, yes, but the overly accessible controls and a lack
of new content becomes tedious not too long into the title. If Codemasters
could have integrated their innovative take on the racing genre with traditional
aspects like varied tracks and vehicles, the overall package wouldn&#39;t have
suffered as much. If you&#39;re looking for short-lived thrills in place of
extended enjoyment, DiRT Showdown won&#39;t disappoint.</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2054230" width="1" height="1">User ReviewCodemastersDirt DhowdownXbox 360Rally plzhttp://www.gameinformer.com/games/dirt_showdown/b/user_reviews/archive/2012/05/24/rally-plz.aspxThu, 24 May 2012 16:10:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:1943356rokz6http://www.gameinformer.com/games/dirt_showdown/b/user_reviews/rsscomments.aspx?WeblogPostID=1943356http://www.gameinformer.com/games/dirt_showdown/b/user_reviews/archive/2012/05/24/rally-plz.aspx#comments<p>not buying it bring back Rally plz, and longer stages 3 mins stages are boring and too short...and put Loeb&#39;s name in there again not that knockoff Block that sucks a s s at Rally</p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=1943356" width="1" height="1">User ReviewPlayStation 3